SWIMMING/ Japanese swimmers reconsider altitude training

May 03, 2012

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Japanese swimming federation is reconsidering plans to conduct altitude training following the death of Norwegian 100 meter breaststroke world champion Alexander Dale Oen.

Dale Oen died April 30 from cardiac arrest during a pre-Olympic training camp in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Japan's federation was planning to send several London medal hopefuls to train at high altitude in June before the Olympics.

Japanese federation official Koji Ueno said "under the circumstances, we can't send our athletes who feel uneasy about what has happened."

The Norwegian team was holding a camp at elevation in Flagstaff before the Olympics, and the federation said the 26-year-old Dale Oen had gone through only a light training session on April 30. An autopsy on Dale Oen was performed on May 1.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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A part of Team Japan for the London Olympics. Back row from left: Takeshi Matsuda, Ryosuke Irie, Kosuke Kitajima and head coach Norimasa Hirai. Front row from left: Natsumi Hoshi, Aya Terakawa and Satomi Suzuki. (The Asahi Shimbun)

A part of Team Japan for the London Olympics. Back row from left: Takeshi Matsuda, Ryosuke Irie, Kosuke Kitajima and head coach Norimasa Hirai. Front row from left: Natsumi Hoshi, Aya Terakawa and Satomi Suzuki. (The Asahi Shimbun)

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  • A part of Team Japan for the London Olympics. Back row from left: Takeshi Matsuda, Ryosuke Irie, Kosuke Kitajima and head coach Norimasa Hirai. Front row from left: Natsumi Hoshi, Aya Terakawa and Satomi Suzuki. (The Asahi Shimbun)